The External Affairs Minister of India, S Jaishankar, during an interview, slammed the Austrian journalist who questioned India’s decision to maintain its relations with Russia and continue importing oil from Russia while the European nations have opted for alternative measures. The Indian EAM noted that Europe has managed to reduce its dependence on fuels over Russia in a way that is comfortable only for Europe.
Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the European nations underwent a crisis of energy, pushing Europe to look for alternative exporters of energy.
As Jaishankar stated, If Europe is worried about its citizens, despite having a per capita income of 60,000 euros, the Indian population stands at a per capita income of 2000 dollars. Therefore it becomes highly necessary to manage the rising prices of oil in India.
Additionally, the European nations have been moving towards middle-eastern nations for continued supply of oil. This diversion of oil production has led to a rise in oil prices in global markets, which isn’t quite favourable for the rest of the nations.
S Jaishankar stated, “The European actions are putting pressure on global oil markets. So I think it’s something which European political leadership understandably would like to soften the effects on their population. I think it is a privilege that they should extend to political leaders of other nations as well.”
At the same time, Jaishankar was asked about relations of India with Moscow, in a cryptic question that was, If India is reluctant to criticize Moscow, considering Moscow is the major supplier of arms and defence equipment.
To which, the Indian EAM gave the historical reference to Indo-Russian relations, stating, “We’ve had a long-term relationship with Moscow as the relations were founded at the times when Western democracies used to arm a military dictatorship Pakistan and denied defensive weapon supply to India.”
Following this, Jaishankar was asked if India is an ally of Russia, to which he swiftly responded by stating India is an independent nation, which doesn’t define or perceive itself as a Russian ally.
